Forming an Alaska LLC is Easy

You can set up an Alaska LLC (Limited Liability Company) yourself by filing the Alaska Articles of Organization with the Department of Commerce, Community, and Economic Development. The cost to create an LLC in Alaska is $250.

Follow our free How to Start an LLC in Alaska guide below to get started today.

Step 1. Create A Name For Your Alaska LLC

First off, in order to launch a successful Alaska LLC, you need to give it the right name. Your business name needs to be catchy for branding purposes and legitimate for legal purposes. We go into depth on this topic in our LLC naming guide, but we’ll go over the legal basics below.

If you’re having trouble coming up with a name that captures your brand, don’t let that stop you from forming your LLC. For now, you can focus on the legal requirements and consider applying for a DBA (doing business as) name after you’ve nailed down your branding.

What To Do:

Once you’ve decided what you’d like to call your LLC in Alaska, do a business name search to find out whether or not it’s in the cards. If your business name is available, you’ll be able to lock it down when you file your Articles of Organization.

Need help naming your LLC? Check out our LLC name generator to find the best name for your LLC.

Quick Note: Before you commit 100% to a name, you should see if there’s a decent URL available. Use GoDaddy to search for your options. If there’s a quality domain name for purchase, we advise buying it right away because even if launching a business website isn’t on your radar right now, it’s going to be soon.

Service provided by GoDaddy.com

After registering a domain name, consider setting up a professional email account (@yourcompany.com). Google's G Suite offers a business email service that comes with other useful tools, including word processing, spreadsheets, and more. Try it for free

Step 2. Appoint An Alaska Registered Agent

Your registered agent will be responsible for receiving important legal documents like tax forms and service of process notices on behalf of your LLC. Your registered agent can be an individual resident of the state or a company that’s legally authorized to represent businesses in Alaska.

Alaska does give you the option to act as your own registered agent, but many business owners choose to appoint a professional instead. Here are a few things to think about before you decide to act as your own:

You’ll have to maintain normal (9 am - 5 pm) business hours at the address you provide.

If you run your business from home, you’ll be required to make your personal address public.

You must keep up on important notices, dates, and deadlines.

You could be served in front of your family or coworkers.

What To Do:

If you’re considering acting as your own registered agent, do some research, starting with our registered agent guide. If you decide you’re up for the task, go ahead and list your own name and address on your Alaska Articles of Organization.

If you’re leaning toward hiring a professional, we recommend doing so through an online LLC formation service. Many of these companies (like ZenBusiness) offer up to one year of registered agent service free when you form your LLC with them.

What To Do:

Sure, you can handle this step on your own, but we highly recommend accepting help from an LLC formation service. Why? Not only will they take the reins and make sure your Articles of Organization are filed perfectly, but they’ll also provide other necessary products and services at super competitive prices.

One great option is ZenBusiness. In addition to great service, they give you a free year of registered agent service when you sign up.

NAICS Code Required when filing in Alaska

The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code is a 6 digit code that is given to a business depending on the type of trade it engages in. You can look up the NAICS code for your type of business by keyword search.

Step 4. Create An Alaska LLC Operating Agreement

Creating an Alaska LLC operating agreement is the only way for you and your members to fully define your roles and lock down your LLC’s management and ownership structure. Having this document in place will also give you all something to return to if a dispute or lawsuit arises.

Quick Note: Download a template or create a custom Free Operating Agreement using our tool on How to Start an LLC. No credit card required, ever.

Step 5. Obtain An EIN (Employer Identification Number) For Your LLC

The Employer Identification Number (EIN), Federal Employer Identification Number (FEIN), or Federal Tax Identification Number (FTIN), is essentially a Social Security number (SSN) for your company. State and federal agencies use this number to track your business activity.

Your EIN will come in handy when it’s time to:

Open a business bank account

File Federal and State taxes

Hire employees

We think the best way to get an EIN for your LLC in Alaska is by using the free online application on the IRS website. We prefer this method because it's the most efficient, but you can apply by phone, fax, or mail. You can read through our How to Get an EIN guide to find out how.

Maintain Your LLC's Personal Asset Protection

Using dedicated business banking and credit accounts is essential for personal asset protection.

Now that you’ve made it through the formation process for your Alaska LLC, you’ll need to take steps to protect your personal assets and establish your business as an independent entity.

When your personal and business accounts are mixed, your personal assets (your home, car, and other valuables) are at risk in the event your Alaska LLC is sued. In business law, this is referred to as piercing your corporate veil.

You can go a long way in protecting your assets with these three steps:

A business bank account separates your personal assets from your company's assets, which is necessary for personal asset protection. A designated business bank account also makes accounting and tax filing easier.

Make sure all documents are signed by a representative of your Alaska LLC and not by you (or other LLC members) directly. This will help separate you from liability incurred by the LLC.

Reduce the Liability of Your LLC in Alaska

Business Insurance

Business insurance helps you manage risk and focus on growing your LLC in Alaska. Carrying the right coverage protects your Alaska LLC from liability and keeps you safe in the event of a loss.

The most common types of business insurance are:

General Liability Insurance: A broad insurance policy that protects your business from lawsuits. Most small businesses get general liability insurance.

Professional Liability Insurance: A business insurance for professional service providers (consultants, accountants, etc.) that covers claims of malpractice and other business errors.

There are free services available that quickly assess your business’s insurance needs. These services suggest customized policies with various insurance carriers so that you can choose the best value. One such reliable service is CoverWallet.

Labor Law

You can reduce your LLC’s liability by being fully compliant with employment laws such as:

If you plan to hire employees, you might also be required to invest in Workers' Compensation Insurance. This type of policy provides coverage for employee job-related illnesses, injuries, or loss of life.

Stay Compliant

As a new LLC in Alaska, you will need to stay compliant with permits, licenses, taxes, and state filings like your biennial report. This is serious business; failure to comply can lead to fines, tax penalties, and dissolution (the end) of your Alaska LLC.

Business Licenses and Permits

To operate your Alaska LLC, you must comply with federal, state, and local government regulations. The details of business licenses and permits vary from state to state, so make sure you research carefully and plan accordingly.

Local: Contact your local county clerk and ask about local licenses and permits.

Sales Tax

There is no sales tax in Alaska.

Employer Taxes

If you have employees in Alaska, you will need to register for Unemployment Insurance Tax through the Alaska Department of Labor and Workforce Development. Alaska does not have an individual income tax, therefore no employee withholding for state income tax is required.

Biennial Report

Alaska requires all LLCs to file a biennial report. If you miss state filings like the annual report, you could face fines or even automatic dissolution. A quality registered agent service, like ZenBusiness, can help protect your assets by keeping track of filing requirements for you.

Mail to:

Alaska Department of Commerce, Community, and Economic Development Division of Corporations, Business, and Professional LicensingP.O. Box 110806Juneau, AK 99811-0806

Due Date: Due every other year by January 2nd.

Late Filing: $200

Fee: No fee is required upon the filing of the initial report. A $100 fee must be paid within the initial six months of organization. Each biennial report filing is $100.

Reduce Administrative Burden

There will be many demands on your time once you start your business. With that in mind, it’s a good idea to streamline your workflow and reduce administrative overhead from the get-go. The two most important business tasks to get help with are:

Accounting

It's important to get your books in order — even if you haven't officially opened for business. A well-managed accounting system will help you:

Track your business finances, including bills, expenses, and income.

Simplify and file your annual taxes.

You can maintain your accounting in two ways:

Use a DIY accounting software. This can come with an increased risk of errors especially when starting a new business.

Hire an accounting service. They can provide comprehensive advice to help optimize your bookkeeping and taxes as well as additional services such as payroll etc.

Recommended: For most small businesses, we recommend using a reputable accounting service. Schedule a free tax consultation for your business now to avoid costly errors in the future.

Employee Payroll

If you have employees, a payroll service will save you a lot of time and also save you from having to become an expert on state compliance or employee tax withholdings and filings.

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